By Isqil Najim
Engr. Oladele Elnathan Fadipe has achieved a sweeping double victory at the 2025 Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) International Engineering Conference, Exhibition, and Annual General Meeting, held between December 1 and 5, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The conference was themed: “Engineering Innovation for a Sustainable Blue Economy.”
Engr. Fadipe was named the 2025 NSE Engineer of the Year and emerged as the Overall Winner of the 2025 Innovation Challenge. He was inducted into the over 400 new fellows of the NSE by the President, Engr. Margaret Oguntala on Monday December 2025.
A distinguished alumnus of the Civil Engineering Department of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Engr. Fadipe showcased exceptional technical prowess throughout the rigorous Innovation Challenge and successfully dominating all three stages of the contest.
His winning entry was the ELFAD Anaerobic Aerobic Sewage Treatment Plant (AASTP), popularly known as the Hybrid Biodigester. This entirely indigenous, zero-running-cost solution was adjudged the best innovation for 2025. it is poised to permanently transform sewage management by decisively addressing the long-standing failures of conventional septic tank systems.
The award-winning Hybrid Biodigester is a sophisticated system that completely overhauls conventional waste management through a multi-stage biological process. Sewage and organic waste are first channeled into the primary chamber where the core biological conversion takes place in an oxygen-free (anaerobic) environment. Here, specialized bacteria break down the complex matter. This innovative Anaerobic Digestion System (ADS) functions entirely underground, thereby ensuring 100% space reclamation while offering a permanent solution to sewage handling.
This process converts the waste into three major reusable by-products: Biogas (Methane), a clean, renewable energy source; Liquid Fertilizer, a nutrient-rich soil repairer; and Clean Effluent. Crucially, the Hybrid Biodigester solves the most burdensome problems associated with traditional waste disposal. By guaranteeing 100% sludge conversion, the system completely eliminates the need for expensive and disruptive periodic sewage evacuation by tankers—a major failing of traditional septic tanks.
The liquid component (effluent) then moves through a final treatment stage, which may involve aerobic processes or filtration to “polish” the water. This ensures the Clean Effluent meets high environmental standards, making it safe for direct discharge or immediate reuse for purposes like landscaping and irrigation.
This innovation is a perfect embodiment of the Reduce, Recycle, Reuse (RRR) philosophy. With its triple benefit of waste conversion, energy generation, and resource recovery, the AASTP stands as a major, homegrown tool in Nigeria’s determined fight against climate change and environmental degradation.
While Engr. Fadipe E. Oladele was the Overall Winner and Engineer of the Year, other engineers recognized were Engr. Lawrence Akubue (2nd), Engr. Joseph E. Eyaufe (3rd), Engr. Dr. Sadiq S. Lawal (4th), and Engr. Idowu O. Adewumi (5th). The NSE award not only celebrates exceptional accomplishments but also highlights their profound impact on the engineering profession and their enduring legacy of excellence.
A day earlier, the NSE Conference grand event was declared open by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo. Also in attendance were Engr. Mustafa Balarabe Shehu, Immediate Past President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), and the First Lady of Oyo State, Engr. Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde and hosts of others.
No Nation Could Rise Beyond the Quality of its Engineers – President Tinubu
During the Opening Ceremony, the President Bola Tinubu represented by Barr. Bello Goronyo, said that “no nation could rise beyond the quality of its engineering profession.” He noted that the success of many national infrastructural projects was tied to the tireless efforts of Nigerian engineers.
President Tinubu said the conference theme was timely, adding that his administration is intensifying efforts to reposition Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape. “Our administration has placed engineering innovation and infrastructure renewal at the center of our national transformation agenda,” he said, stating that the Renewed Hope Agenda prioritises local engineering capacity and aims to make Nigeria a hub of engineering excellence in Africa.
In her remarks, the President and Chairman-in-Council of the NSE, Engr. Margaret Oguntala, said it was a deliberate policy of the NSE to take its annual conference to different states to bring the event closer to members and boost the host state’s economy. She lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for his support in ensuring the conference’s success.
The Man Engr. Fadipe
Engr. Oladele Elnathan Fadipe is a leading advocate for green technology and the circular economy. With nearly two decades of experience in construction and sustainable sanitation, he serves as the Managing Director of ELFAD CONCEPT LIMITED, a leading biogas technology company based in Lagos and Abuja.
Engr. Fadipe’s core mission is to transform Nigeria’s waste management paradigm. Under his leadership, ELFAD Concept is dedicated to converting sewage, animal waste, and crop residues into two essential resources: biogas (clean energy) and organic fertilizer, an approach that directly replaces conventional, failing septic systems across the nation. He pioneered the adoption of the indigenous ELFAD Anaerobic Digestion System (ADS), moving developers and homeowners toward integrated waste treatment systems that meet high environmental discharge standards.
Through his technical innovation and active knowledge sharing across professional platforms, he is actively redefining environmental engineering practices for a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable Nigeria and Africa. His excellence has been recognized with multiple corporate honor awards from professional bodies, affirming his position as a key force in Nigeria’s green future.
The Engineering Awards Committee responsible for overseeing the 2025 NSE Innovation and Engineer of the Year award includes Engr. Osaze Omorogbe, FNSE (Chairman), Engr. Goni Mohammed Adamu, MNSE, Engr. Oji Alozie Oji, MNSE, Engr. Dr. Famous O. Igbinovia, MNSE, Engr. Remi Eko, FNSE, Engr. Dr. Nneka Nwagugu, MNSE, Engr. Hassan Idrissa, MNSE, Engr. Aminu Soron Dinki, FNSE, Engr. Edidiong Sam, MNSE, Engr. Gradeone Ogheneovo Idama, MNSE, Engr. Uzezi David Omavuezi, MNSE, and Mrs. Nike Oluwasuyi (Secretary).
Engr. Oladele Elnathan Fadipe, FNSE: Bio-Digesting a Greener Future
